Showing results by author "Mark White" in All Categories

SUBLIME examines the journey of two couples who find themselves inside a planned utopian community on the cusp of society’s implosion. Newly engaged Cole and Carly are just setting forth on a getaway when they’re abducted by SUBLIME—an underground group seeking Cole’s engineering skills. Mindy and Kacee, the parents of young children, are also kidnapped while embarking on a weekend camping trip. They’re knowledgeable in the realm of health and fitness, another set of skills desperately needed by SUBLIME.

A Podcast

Guilt is a powerful exploration of emotional intelligence, highlighting the complexities of guilt and the importance of empathy, understanding, and forgiveness. Join Xane and her bandmates as they learn to navigate guilt, set emotional boundaries, and find strength in their journey. This volume is a must-listen for fans of the series and anyone interested in the intricate dance of emotions.

In Curiosity: Xane Volume 12, Xane, a Synth programmed to understand human emotions, faces one of her most complex challenges yet. Her journey begins with a cryptic message from her old friend, Tara, who has been wrongfully accused of stealing from the golf shop where she works. Despite overwhelming evidence—including surveillance footage and Tara’s own fingerprints on the safe—Xane knows her friend is innocent.

Xane finds herself at the center of a storm when Zoe, a bandmate, reveals her deep-seated pride, causing tension and division within the band. As Zoe's arrogance threatens to tear the group apart, Xane must navigate the delicate balance between healthy pride and destructive hubris. Guided by the Analyst, Xane learns that pride can be both empowering and isolating. Through introspective conversations and challenging interactions with her bandmates, Xane discovers the importance of humility and teamwork.

As Xane navigates the tension within the band, she turns to the Analyst for guidance. Through introspective conversations, Xane learns that envy is often a reflection of the envier's own insecurities and perceived shortcomings. With this understanding, Xane strives to set emotional boundaries and protect her sense of self-worth. The narrative also explores the impact of envy on relationships, particularly between Shari and Russ. As the band prepares for a high-stakes New Year's Eve performance, they face eerie occurrences that test their resilience and unity.

Author Mark White takes listeners on an emotional journey with Xane as she explores the concept of joy. Reflecting on her past experiences with fear, anger, sadness, shame, and contempt, Xane realizes she is ready to embrace joy. Guided by the Analyst, Xane learns that joy is not just about happiness but a deeper state of being—an open-hearted embrace of life and a sense of peace and connection.

As Xane navigates the pressures of fame, the invasion of privacy, and the constant scrutiny from the media and fans, she finds herself struggling to maintain her sense of self. Xane's journey is marked by her interactions with her bandmates—Leila, Ruby, Zoe, and Lena—as they face the challenges of being in the spotlight. The story delves into themes of setting boundaries, managing emotions, and the importance of empathy and understanding.

In Surprise, Xane and her band, Sapphire Nights, embark on a major tour that tests their limits. From the excitement of their song hitting number one to the shock of a stage malfunction that could expose Xane’s true nature, this final installment explores the unexpected twists that life throws her way. Xane must navigate her Synth programming while dealing with emotional surprises, making this volume the thrilling conclusion to her emotional journey.

In Anger, Xane’s journey reaches a boiling point as she experiences anger for the first time—an emotion that threatens to override her core programming. After mastering fear, shame, sadness, and love, anger poses a new danger. Xane’s malfunction could destroy everything she’s worked for, and as her red eyes signal impending failure, she must find a way to control this overwhelming emotion before it leads to her self-destruction.

What happens when a Synth learns to love? LOVE thrusts Xane into the most powerful emotion yet: love. As she continues to understand human emotions, love proves to be a complex and intense challenge. Guided by River, Xane explores relationships, desire, and self-discovery, all while learning that love isn’t as straightforward as she thought. With multiple love interests, including the mysterious Levi and fellow musician Adrian, Xane is pulled in many directions, forcing her to question her identity and emotions.

In SADNESS, Xane faces the raw emotion of sadness, following her experiences with fear and shame. A tragic accident and unrequited love push Xane to her limits as she learns how sadness can be both devastating and transformative. Set during her junior year of high school, Xane’s journey reveals the importance of resilience and emotional healing, bringing her closer to understanding the full spectrum of human emotion.

In SHAME, Xane's exploration of human emotions intensifies. Following her lessons on fear, Xane now faces the complexities of shame. Supporting Tara, a driven high school golfer aiming for the PGA High School National Invitational, Xane discovers how shame can impact self-esteem, relationships, and personal success. As Xane learns to manage shame, she must also build on what she learned in FEAR, realizing how interconnected emotions truly are.

Welcome to Grapevine High, where fear, love, and self-discovery collide. FEAR introduces River, a curious freshman, and Xane, a charismatic girl with a secret—she’s a Synth, a synthetic human learning to understand emotions. As Xane grapples with the concept of fear, they both face bullying, high school drama, and the courage to step out of their comfort zones. This novella sets the stage for Xane's ongoing emotional journey, where each book delves deeper into her quest to master human emotions.